Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Broke for the wealthy vs. broke for the rest of us

After Hilary Clinton’s claim at being #broke when they left the White House and now Robin Williams supposedly having been going through financial problems and as well as having a TV show cancelled.  I am drawn to the conclusion that we really need a vocabulary for the wealthy and another one for everyone else. With an estimated net worth of $50 million (far less that I would have thought he would have) and four movies still to be released; we are clearly not speaking the same language.  Families that had the unemployment benefits cut say they are broke, millionaires say they are broke.

Now in defense of millionaires it is their inability to continue living their exorbitant lifestyles – four homes on different continents, private jets, costly divorces (#prenuptialagreement) etc. that is what they are having a difficulty dealing with.  Why not just call it a “social traumas of drastic lifestyle changes”.  Full disclosure here, I am not trying to diminish just how hard this might be for an individual who does not understand the true meaning of lack or the need to create a simple #budget to ensure you are living within your means, because I am fully aware of how hard it is.  All I am saying that is because we are utilizing the very same words yet the meaning for each instance is worlds apart, why not just find different words that more aptly fit said case.

I personally, am by no stretch of the imagination of means but every so often I am made to count myself blessed when I come face to face with the people we serve through the church.  Their meaning of #broke has a whole different meaning to mine.

I love/loved Robin Williams – his amazing talent is the source of many of my childhood laughs.  Hilary Clinton on the other hand, her ambition and focus drive are things any parent wishes for her daughters but with each of these great personalities there still is a need as with all of us, regardless of what we mean when we say we are broke, for strong financial planning.  Some of us get a second chance as the Clinton's did but for others sadly the demons appear too overwhelming to conquer.

No comments:

Post a Comment